EP0900671A2

EP0900671A2 - Folding leaflet

Info

Publication number: EP0900671A2
Application number: EP98112160A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paola Pantaleoni; Carlo Domeneghetti
Original assignee: Farmoprint Srl
Current assignee: Farmoprint Srl
Priority date: 1997-09-05
Filing date: 1998-07-01
Publication date: 1999-03-10
Also published as: EP0900671A3; ITMI970641U1; IT237891Y1

Abstract

A folding leaflet with optimized folding, comprising a printed sheet (2) which can be folded along preset folding lines, the sheet having at least one element (5) for closing the loose flaps of the sheet in folded position; the closure element (5) is arranged so as to straddle the flaps and can be removed to unfold the sheet (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a folding leaflet with optimized folding. More particularly, the invention relates to a folding leaflet which is suitable for example for use as an instruction sheet for medicines and the like which can be easily inserted in the package with which it must be associated.

Conventionally, all packages of medicines and the like and of many other products contain a folding leaflet that provides information about the characteristics of the product, the recommended dosage and any side effects.

Said folding leaflets are constituted by a sheet which is printed and then folded along preset lines so as to assume dimensions which are compatible with the container in which it must be inserted.

However, although the printed sheet is folded, its automated insertion, by means of specifically provided machines, is difficult because the folded sheet can bend back during insertion, since it tends to make contact with the edges of the container.

This fact accordingly entails difficulty in inserting the printed sheet in the box.

If the printed and folded sheet is inserted with the folding crest first, i.e., at the folding line, on the one hand insertion of the sheet is easier, but on the other hand the closure tabs of the container jam between the flaps of the folded sheet, making it difficult to close the container.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a folding leaflet in which the folded sheet can be kept closed, so as to facilitate insertion in the corresponding container.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a folding leaflet which can be easily opened by the end user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding leaflet in which removing the closure of the folding leaflet during the opening of the container does not damage the folding leaflet.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a folding leaflet with optimized folding, comprising a printed sheet which can be folded along preset folding lines, characterized in that said sheet has at least one element for closing the loose flaps of said sheet in folded position, said closure element being arranged so as to straddle said flaps and being removable to unfold said sheet.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the folding leaflet according to the present invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the folding leaflet according to the present invention, shown in an exemplifying folded condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closure element used in the folding leaflet of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the folding leaflet, showing the leaflet ready to be opened;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the folding leaflet according to the present invention, shown in a partially folded condition; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the folding leaflet according to the present invention, shown in the fully open condition.

With reference to the above figures, the folding leaflet according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a printed sheet 2 which can be folded along preset folding lines so as to assume a size which is compatible with a container (not shown) inside which it must be inserted.

The sheet 1 can also be provided, on a portion facing outward once folding is complete, with at least one area dedicated to a bar code 3. The figures illustrate two areas meant for the bar code and designated by the

reference numerals

3 and 4 respectively.

At least one label 5 provided with an adhesive side is provided as a closure element for the folding leaflet 1 and is arranged so that the two loose ends or flaps of the folding leaflet 1 lying opposite the folding crest 6 mutually mate and adhere.

The self-adhesive label is advantageously made of transparent material and can have, on its surface, at least one predefined perforation arranged along its shorter portion, which is arranged parallel to the edges lying opposite to the folding crest 6 when the folding leaflet 1 is closed.

The perforation 7 is meant to facilitate the opening of the folding leaflet 1 on the part of the end user. For this purpose it is advantageous to provide, as shown in Figure 2, a plurality of mutually parallel perforations 7.

The folding leaflet 1 is thus opened by pulling apart the edges that are kept adjacent by means of the label 5, so as to tear the label along the predefined perforations 7.

In practice it has been observed that the folding leaflet according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to keep the folding leaflet closed in a folded condition also along the edges that would normally remain loose and would tend to rise. This facilitates the insertion of the folding leaflet in the containers for which it is meant and is not awkward for the end user, since the predefined perforations arranged on the surface of the self-adhesive label allow substantially immediate opening of the folding leaflet.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A folding leaflet with optimized folding, comprising a printed sheet which can be folded along preset folding lines, characterized in that said sheet has at least one element for closing the loose flaps of said sheet in folded position, said closure element being arranged so as to straddle said flaps and being removable to unfold said sheet.
A folding leaflet according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one closure element is constituted by a label which has an adhesive side, said adhesive side being attached to a first one of said loose flaps in order to surround the second one of said loose flaps so as to make them mate.
A folding leaflet according to claim 2, characterized in that said label is transparent.
A folding leaflet according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet has at least one area which is reserved for a bar code, said area facing outward when said sheet is folded.
A folding leaflet according to claim 1, characterized in that said closure element has at least one predefined perforation in order to facilitate its opening.
A folding leaflet according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one perforation is parallel to said loose flaps of said sheet.